Members of the Hindu Gajanan Mandal of Kamana Katti Geleyara Balaga painted the compounds of government schools in Kinnal, Koppal taluk, using surplus funds from Ganeshotsav celebrations.
The 50-member group has installed a Ganesha idol under the banner of Hindu Gajanan Mandal for the 11th year. In 2024, the group repaired the badly damaged road from Kinnal to Chilawadagi village, about a seven-km stretch, and built a new mud road at the entrance to Kinnal. The youths said a small Ganesha procession itself could cost around Rs 1 lakh, with a substantial amount going towards DJ sound system rentals. The same community spirit was on display during the Sept 22 Ganesha immersion in Kinnal, which was held with a high-decibel DJ system.
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“We collect public opinion each year on how the funds left over from Ganeshotsav should be used and follow the suggestions,” said Prashanth Kulkarni, one of the office-bearers of Balaga. It is our collective wish that the money should be used for the development of the village,” said Veeresh Devi, secretary of Balaga. Koppal: At a time when Ganeshotsav celebrations across the state are marked by loud DJ music and fireworks, members of the Hindu Gajanan Mandal of Kamana Katti Geleyara Balaga in Kinnal, Koppal taluk, have chosen to channel part of the festival funds into community work for the third consecutive year. After using the money collected from the public for purchasing the idol and conducting the celebrations, the members used the surplus for the development of govt schools. This year, they painted the compounds of the Kuvempu Centenary Model School, the high school located on the same premises at Kinnal, and the govt lower primary school at Kaulpet. The group also intends to have Kinnal’s traditional artworks painted on the walls of the schools to create awareness on environmental protection. The work earned appreciation from the district judge and led Chandrashekar C., who was then the district and sessions court judge, to adopt Kinnal village and take up several development projects there. Over and above that, processions could see trouble triggered by miscreants. The Balaga has instead sought to link the festival to service, culture, environmental concern and village development. “Public money should not be wasted, which is why we painted the compounds of govt schools. Through its social initiatives, Kinnal youths have given Ganeshotsav a distinct character based on service and rural development. Download the TOI App.
Last year, the group organised a lecture by Kavita Mishra, a progressive farmer, to create awareness among farmers on organic farming.